MississippiMississippi officers need probable cause to stop or board vessels
Starting after July 1, 2026, Mississippi officers must have probable cause to stop or board a vessel and cannot do so solely to inspect its safety or sanitation equipment.
What it does
Officers must have probable cause—a reasonable basis to believe a violation occurred or is happening—before stopping or boarding a vessel. They cannot do so solely to inspect safety or sanitation equipment.
Argument forBoaters could face fewer stops without a reason to suspect a boating law violation, because officers need probable cause to stop or board.
Argument againstSome safety or sanitation violations could go unnoticed because officers cannot stop or board a vessel solely to inspect that equipment.
More detail
Officers must have probable cause to stop or board a vessel. This rule applies to enforcement officers and law enforcement officers acting under the cited Mississippi boating laws. Officers may not stop or board a vessel solely to inspect safety or marine sanitation equipment. A safety or sanitation violation is a secondary offense, so it cannot be the primary reason for a stop. The act takes effect after July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13Law W/out Governor's SignatureLatest
- Apr 6Enrolled Bill SignedTo Governor
- Apr 6Enrolled Bill Signed
- Mar 30Conference Report Adopted
- Vote recorded Adopt Conference Report. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 26Conference Report Adopted
- Vote recorded Adopt Conference Report. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25Conference Report Filed
- Mar 25Conference Report Filed
- Mar 12Conferees Named Anderson (122nd),Grady,Fondren
- Mar 11Conferees Named DeLano,Thompson,England
- Mar 10Decline to Concur/Invite Conf
- Mar 5Returned For Concurrence
- Mar 4Passed As AmendedPassed House
- Vote recorded Passage as Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4AmendedMajor
- Mar 3Title Suff Do Pass As AmendedMinor
- Mar 3DR - TSDPAA: AC To MR
- Feb 25DR - TSDPAA: MR To AC
- Feb 13Rereferred To Marine Resources;Accountability, Efficiency, TransparencyMinor
- Feb 10Transmitted To HouseMinor
- Feb 9PassedPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 30Title Suff Do PassMinor
- Jan 14Referred To Ports and Marine ResourcesIntroduced
Public Safety